Winter Outdoor Dining Guide: Get Alfresco Bookings in Colder Months

Alfresco dining is massively popular among restaurant-goers. There’s just something about spending time outside, surrounded by Mother Nature – it enhances the ambience, opens up the senses and has several health benefits.

For restaurant owners, offering outdoor dining experiences is a no-brainer. Not only will you attract more diners because many people love to eat outside, but you’ll also increase restaurant bookings and covers, as you’ll have more seating available. And that’ll lead to a nice boost in revenue.

Of course, alfresco dining is weather-dependent which is why most restaurants with outside seating end up serving customers indoors only for four to six months of the year. But what if you could offer outdoor eating all year round irrespective of whether it’s rainy, snowy, windy or freezing? Your profit potential would surge!

In this cold weather outdoor dining guide, we explain how to offer alfresco dining even in the poorest weather…

Without protection from the elements, eating outside would be plain torturous in freezing or wet weather. Investing in a covered outdoor dining area that’s warm and cozy is key to transforming your alfresco dining setup into a sought-after winter experience.

There are many setups to explore, including:

• Pull-out canopies – retractable awnings that attach to the side of your building and extend overhead to cover diners. These are often the cheapest option, but they’re better suited for small bistros with only a couple of outdoor tables and chairs. They don’t offer protection from the sides, so they’re no good for windy weather or heavy rain.
• Tented gazebos – these have side panels and are easy to put up. They usually come with a steel frame and a light tarpaulin cover. You can get sturdy ones, but a very windy day can get the better of these structures. Another downside to tented gazebos is that they’re not exactly attractive to look at! 
• Wooden gazebos – a timber frame is much heavier than the steel frame that comes with a tented gazebo, making it much less likely to get swept away. The price for a wooden gazebo ranges from £800 to £4000 depending on the structure’s size and whether the roof’s covered. You can get side panels at an extra cost. (Note that you’ll need to factor maintenance costs into your budget as timber structures usually need treating over time).
• Patio heaters – with any of the above options, you’ll need some kind of outdoor, waterproof heater. These are typically quite affordable as a one-off cost – a 4.5KW wall-mounted heater costs around £300. Note, however, that heating a patio takes time. You’ll need the heaters on all evening in frigid temperatures, and they tend to use a lot of electricity, so usage costs can clock up.
• Hypedome dining pods – these are fully covered, igloo-style polycarbonate domes that are completely weather-resistant for year-round dining. The Clear Hypedome S pod is 100% crystal clear, so it truly blurs the lines between indoors and outdoors and can be quickly heated with an electric heater.

With a heavy-duty anchoring kit, Hypedome dining domes will stay put no matter the strong winds and other elements. They can even be thermally insulated with Hype.Wall panels to make them super snug. And they’re guaranteed to last up to fifteen years, making them an ideal long-term solution for winterizing outdoor dining.

Special Additions: For Hypedome M and Hypedome L dining pods, consider the tailored  Wood-Burning Stove and chimney set for a charmingly warm winter dining experience. With 7.5 kW power and A+ energy rating, it combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, making it ideal for winter restaurant prep. Its ease of installation and retrofitting capability make it a convenient addition to your existing Hypedome setup, perfectly complementing the igloo-style dining experience with the charm and comfort of a natural flame.

With autumn and winter comes dark nights – one of the things many people dread about this time of year. Light affects everything from mood to appetite, so cozy outdoor lighting is essential for winter dining experiences.

Dim, ambient lighting is a staple at a fancy restaurant. There’s a psychology behind it – keeping the lights low helps diners to relax, converse, and stay longer (and potentially spend more money).

On the opposite end of the spectrum, a fast food joint usually has incessantly bright lights that make you want to head straight back out the door! That’s because the fast food business model is about all cheap food and rapid turnarounds – getting diners in and out as quick as possible.

Where outdoor dining in cold weather (or dark conditions) is concerned, the lighting should feel cosy and mellow to put diners at ease. Here are some good options to consider:

• Fairy lights or string bulbs – these are affordable and energy efficient, so you can leave them switched on for quite some time. They’re also very pretty to look at!
• Hanging lanterns – you can get nylon lanterns that fit over a string of bulbs or invest in individual battery-operated or candle-lit glass and metal lanterns.
• Tabletop lamps – focused light on individual tables helps create an intimate atmosphere that’s perfect for dining. Opt for cordless, rechargeable lamps so as not to interfere with the table’s aesthetics. 
• Candles – the ultimate tool for creating ambience, flickering candlelight is mesmerising and romantic! Place them on table centres or house them inside large floor lanterns.
• Bioethanol firepits – these use a renewable liquid fuel that burns clean, meaning no mess or fumes to worry about. A few of these dotted around your winter alfresco dining area would look fantastic – they give off real-burning flames that produce plenty of heat.

For dining pod setups, Hypedome offers everything you need for beautiful illumination with this lighting kit. It contains a perimeter ambient light strip, a tabletop cordless lamp and a set of twinkling fairy lights, so you can create a delightful, winter-ready outdoor dining experience.

Decoration plays a big part in how your outdoor environment looks and feels. Done right, the decor will add a little magic to your setting – so consider colour scheme, materials, furnishings and stand-out pieces.

A safe bet is to go classy and use decor that’ll stand the test of time. Natural materials like glass, wood and wool have a rustic appeal that works perfectly with ambient lighting, as do neutral and warm colour schemes.

For your winter outdoor dining setup, consider chunky wooden tables dressed with cotton table runners and jute placemats. Invest in good quality cutlery and heavy tableware. How about glass lanterns, mirrored tealight holders, a shaggy rug for underfoot and a wicker basket stuffed with soft woolly blankets? Padded chairs will please your guests and tempt them to stay a while.

Consider the entire outdoor space available to diners (not just individual areas) when planning your decor. Your guests will want to take in the view of their surroundings from all angles. 

Think about themes that could go well with autumn and winter alfresco dining. Such as fall decor, which might use pumpkins, red leaf bunting, autumn wreaths, harvest festival bouquets, pine cones and orange or yellow soft furnishings. Maybe a winter wonderland filled with Christmas trees and wrapped gift boxes. Or perhaps an apres-ski theme with plenty of big bourbon barrels, reclaimed wood, fake snow, plaid fabrics, and a few ornamental sets of skis. (Firepits are also perfect for this theme!) 

Need more inspiration? Check out some brilliant restaurant winter patio ideas on our blog and on Pinterest.

Experiential dining is about breaking away from traditional restaurant concepts to offer diners unique experiences and culinary adventures. It’s a trend worth embracing as 75% of diners say they would spend more to get a unique dining experience.

What does experiential dining look like? It can take many forms, from interactive elements to surprise dishes.

• Try a seasonal menu with warm, hearty dishes perfect for winter.
• Introduce interactive options like tableside grills or cheese fondue in outdoor winter pods, allowing diners to engage with their meal.
• Some restaurants offer cooking classes or tasting experiences, which could make your outdoor area the go-to place for unique winter dining. Consider adding a winter wine pairing or themed dining events to elevate the experience.

So, think about ways to get guests queuing up to try your outdoor dining experience. Be creative – how about offering a cheese fondue or raclette to guests in outside dining pods? Or a cook-it-yourself grill in the centre of each table where diners can cook meat and fish to their own liking?

Visit any popular restaurant, and you’ll notice that the booths are taken or reserved. This is because booths are more enclosed and offer some privacy, making it easier to have a conversation back and forth across the table. They also provide a bit more security as diners can place their bags and coats within the booth where they’re out of the way of the main traffic of the restaurant.

Dining pods, like Hypedome’s outdoor igloo domes, take this concept to a new level by providing an even greater sense of privacy and comfort. Fully enclosed and weather-resistant, Hypedomes offer guests an exclusive, intimate dining experience shielded from outside elements. The unique Port Door design provides an easy entrance and exit, ensuring diners feel cocooned in comfort while still having the flexibility to move in and out smoothly. This feature keeps the warmth in and cold drafts out, adding to the cozy, private vibe.

With a Hypedome setup, your guests will enjoy a space that’s uniquely theirs for the evening – a perfect setting for friends catching up, families spending quality time, or couples on a romantic date.

Whatever your outdoor winter dining setup, keep your guests contented by playing relaxing music (at a volume where they can still hear and speak to each other) and ask servers not to check on them too often. Let guests enjoy themselves without too many interruptions, and don’t rush at them with the bill as soon as they’ve finished their meal. Treat them like royalty! Diners who have a great experience will come back time after time and recommend your restaurant to others.

Pro Tip: Calculate Your Dining Domes ROI

Considering the investment in outdoor dining domes but unsure if it’s the right financial move? Our Dining Domes ROI Calculator is here to help! This user-friendly tool lets restaurant owners quickly calculate the return on investment (ROI) for dining domes, as well as estimate the additional revenue and potential profits from a winter-ready outdoor dining setup.

Using just a few basic business metrics, such as seating capacity, average spend per customer, and estimated occupancy rates, the calculator provides a clear forecast of how much additional income you could generate by extending your outdoor seating season. Whether you’re interested in a single dome or an entire dome dining setup, this tool gives instant insights, allowing you to make an informed decision.

With this easy-to-use tool, restaurant owners can assess the financial benefits of adding dining domes and make strategic decisions to enhance their winter dining setup. Interested in seeing the numbers? Try the Dining Domes ROI Calculator and explore how your business could thrive with this unique, winter-ready dining experience.

By making your outdoor eating area totally unique and sought after, you’ll be able to command a higher price – not necessarily on food and beverages – but via a booking fee or by charging a minimum spend per party or person.

Here at Hypedome, we know from our hospitality clients that guests who use our weatherproof outdoor dining pods are happy to pay a booking fee and tend to spend more on average than people who eat indoors in a restaurant.

This is because winter igloo dining is a special experience in itself. Guests who book a dedicated dining pod look forward to the occasion, are less likely to cancel and tend to treat themselves to something from the more expensive side of the menu.

Once your outdoor winter dining area has built up a reputation, you’ll find that it becomes an easy extra income stream that makes a real difference to your bottom line!

For restaurants looking to add a fresh, innovative twist to winter outdoor dining, technology offers plenty of options to make the experience even more inviting. Adding a few smart features can enhance both comfort and convenience, giving diners more reasons to enjoy your cozy pods all season long.

• Smart lighting and heating: Automated systems that adjust lighting and heating based on the temperature or time of day mean your dining space is always perfectly set. Whether it’s a warm glow as the sun sets or a steady heat source on a chilly night, these solutions provide a seamless, energy-efficient way to keep guests comfortable.
• Contactless ordering and payments: With a smart tablet or QR code right inside the dome, diners can browse your menu, place orders, and pay without leaving their snug pod. No need for paper menus or card readers – it’s quick, convenient, and perfect for a winter evening when guests want to stay cozy.
• Wi-Fi and entertainment options: Offering free Wi-Fi is a must for today’s connected diners, and Bluetooth speakers in each pod allow them to personalize the vibe with their own playlists. Guests can share their experience online, keeping your restaurant in the social spotlight.

By incorporating smart tech, you’ll create a dining experience that feels exclusive, efficient, and memorable – ideal for attracting tech-savvy customers and ensuring they linger a little longer, maybe ordering that extra dessert or coffee.

For a truly memorable outdoor winter dining experience, offering guests a winter comfort kit adds warmth and hospitality that keeps them coming back. A few cozy, well-thought-out touches not only create a lasting impression but also encourage return visits and positive reviews for your outdoor dining pods.

• Warm blankets or throws: Set each pod with soft, cozy blankets to make diners feel at home. Hypoallergenic and machine-washable options ensure easy maintenance while providing comfort, making your winter outdoor seating a top choice for warmth and relaxation.
• Hot water bottles or heat packs: On especially chilly nights, thoughtful additions like hot water bottles can make all the difference. Some restaurants even offer branded hot water bottles or heat packs that guests can purchase as a memento, adding a unique touch to the winter dining experience.
• Personalized welcome drinks: Greet guests with a warm beverage, such as mulled wine or spiced cider, upon arrival. Not only does this warm welcome enhance the outdoor dining experience in winter, but it also showcases your restaurant’s unique flavors and hospitality.

By providing comfort kits, you transform winter dining into an elevated experience that makes your winter outdoor dining setup stand out, establishing your restaurant as a place that goes above and beyond in customer care.

Teaming up with local businesses can bring distinctive value to your outdoor dining setup while supporting the local community. By collaborating with nearby vendors, you create a fresh, authentic atmosphere that encourages diners to return, making your outdoor winter dining experience even more memorable.

• Feature local ingredients in your menu: Working with nearby farms, bakeries, or breweries to source fresh, local ingredients brings an authentic touch to your menu. Highlighting these partnerships not only enhances the alfresco dining experience but also adds value to your offerings, helping your restaurant stand out in the winter dining pods scene.
• Collaborate with local artists or musicians: Hosting occasional live performances or displaying local art in your pods can create a unique ambiance that guests will remember. Adding local culture to your winter outdoor dining setup brings fresh energy and gives diners a new reason to visit.
• Promote locally crafted decor or gifts: Include items like handmade candles or pottery from local artisans in your decor, or offer them for sale as keepsakes. This gesture not only supports local craftsmanship but also encourages brand loyalty by allowing guests to take home a small part of their winter outdoor dining experience.

By embracing local partnerships, you not only strengthen community connections but also amplify the authentic, locally-inspired vibe of the entire outdoor dining experience. This approach allows guests to feel part of something genuine and unique, making your outdoor winter seating setup truly unforgettable.

Restaurants with outdoor seating are in a great position to offer alfresco dining all year round. Leverage your space through the six methods we’ve described above to get more dining bookings in winter. Here’s what else you can do:

• Take advance bookings for seasonal events – start promoting Halloween, Bonfire Night, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year outside dining experiences as early as possible. Take a deposit to help guarantee bookings.
• Increase publicity through storytelling – share behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram of your team setting up your warm and cosy outside area, showcase your menu and share testimonials from happy diners.
• Update your Google My Business page – when potential diners search for dining outdoors in winter, you’ll want your restaurant to pop up in search engine results. So, update your page and use keywords or phrases people might type to find your restaurant. E.g., sheltered outdoor dining, outdoor dining with heating, heated pods for outdoor dining in winter or restaurant with outdoor heating.
• Keep up with new trends – surprise and delight diners by offering new and exciting culinary experiences, e.g., cooking food to order at the table, hosting a knife skills workshop or running a supper club with a new experimental menu each week.

Creating a special winter dining experience will give guests something to enjoy during the dark, cold, often bleak months. More importantly, you’ll help your hospitality business battle the low seasons, give your brand a competitive edge and boost your overall profits!